Lamar Jackson | Quarterback

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Benoit writes of the team's addition of Louisville QB Lamar Jackson with the No. 32 pick, "This torch could be passed (from Joe Flacco to Jackson) earlier than expected given the abundance of Ravens coaches who are familiar with a Jackson-friendly type of offense." He found that selection intriguing while also singling out the addition of TE Hayden Hurst (whom they drafted seven picks before Jackson), noting that Hurst's all-around skill-set brings more to the offensive table than that of more block-centric tight ends Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams currently on roster. What prevents Baltimore from receiving a higher grade, in his estimation, is that the team did almost nothing to address the front seven. That might not hurt in the short term, but Benoit points to the fact that five members of that front seven are in the final years of their contracts this upcoming season. He concludes that "if their offensive overhaul goes well, that’s a small price to pay." Apr 29 - 12:20 PM

Ravens traded up with the Eagles to select Louisville QB Lamar Jackson with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

The Ravens gave up the No. 52 and No. 125 picks as well as a 2019 second-rounder to land their quarterback of the future. It's a fitting sendoff for GM Ozzie Newsome, who is stepping down after this year. Jackson (6’2/216) followed his Heisman-winning sophomore year with a prolific 2017, averaging 6.9 yards per carry with 18 rushing TDs and tacking nearly three percentage points onto his completion rate (56.2 to 59.1) despite having 8.6% of his passes dropped, most among this year’s top QB prospects. Jackson’s ball location is inconsistent, but he offers highlight-reel playmaking ability as a runner and plus-armed passer with underrated pocket management and a pro-style background in Bobby Petrino’s offense. As a game-breaking dual threat, Jackson will need a commitment from his coaching staff to build its offense around him rather than change Jackson’s game to fit "their scheme." This is the first time since 1999 that five quarterbacks have gone in the first round. Apr 26 - 11:47 PM

When I watch Lamar Jackson, I think about the Philly version of Randall Cunningham who blew the league up with his athletic skill, writes Ferrar. "Then I think about the Minnesota version of Randall Cunningham who grew into an offense. And I hope Lamar can do that." It's a solid comp for Jackson, and it's a good example of how players can, in fact, grow with appropriate coaching. Apr 26 - 5:05 PM

Ledyard cites the Chargers, Cardinals and Patriots as teams that could trade up to take Jackson, and in his mock draft, he projects the Chargers to trade up to the 13th pick with Washington to draft the former Heisman Trophy winner. Jackson's stock has been in flux for what seems like a year now, but it's more and more likely that the dynamic playmaker will go in the first 32 picks. Apr 26 - 4:00 PM